The Department of Environmental Affairs says the Kruger National Park has lost 362 rhinos to poaching.
The North West, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo provinces continue to be a target for poachers, collectively accounting for the loss of 186 rhinos.
According to the department, 333 were poached in 2010 and this increased to 588 this year.
Of the 246 arrested individuals, 217 were at the level of poacher, 18 were couriers and 11 receivers.
Authorities urged members of the public to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs that could lead to arrests and prevention of illegal killings to 0800 205 005.
Meanwhile two Mozambican nationals accused of rhino poaching have been remanded in custody.
Madala Mhlanga, 20, and Alberto Makhubele, 45, were not asked to plead to charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, trespassing and illegal possession of rhino horns when they appeared in the White River Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
They were arrested at the Kruger National Park’s N’wanetsi section in the central part of the park.
